Plan for Sustainability
Consistency and routine are key for kiddos with special needs. When we can predict what’s going to happen, plan ahead to help with transitions to different activities and make a plan B if something unexpected comes up, it calms our brain to know what’s coming.
Pause knows that program sustainability and longevity are essential to our families and we have assumed personal responsibility in making sure that happens for years to come! Currently, Pause is funded through grants, donations and volunteer support. We are always focused on sustainability as it has been emotionally and physically difficult for families to lose other community resources they have relied on in the past. As our grant funder priorities change, we must be prepared so our priorities can remain the same!
Pause is moving toward a model of more flexible funding to do just that! Our first step was to make a bold move to shift our Board President, Dan McSwain, to a role on staff we knew he was perfect for. Dan’s new role within Pause, Director of Development, is to build community relationships, share the credibility of Pause and show in recent data and stories how a community members partnership brings positive change to families directly, quickly and powerfully. Dan is a gifted connector, has had a front seat to the life change families have encountered and has grown a passion for the opportunity to be a part of changing lives and culture as a whole because he has experienced it himself. While there was hesitation to take him from such an important role on the Board, we also knew it was the next best decision we could make together.
Dan and his team are working to connect with foundations and individuals to share the Pause story, but will also be offering FUNdraising opportunities along the way. Pause seems to always do things a little out of the box and this will be no different! We can’t wait to share more in the coming months, but we do know September 9th is a date you want to keep clear to start! (Shameless plug for the 2023 Pause Gala!)
Dan and his wife, Kristin, have two teenage girls who keep him busy between dance competitions and cheer practice! The McSwains recently started a family business last year - City Dance Movement, a dance competition business offering competitions regionally three times a year with a focus on relationships and greater overall life outcomes for student dancers. During his free time, Dan likes spending it outdoors, enjoying cigars and bourbon with friends. He also loves to travel and experience new places and cultures! Dan’s been to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Israel, France and China. Dan is also a certified life coach! He helps people discover and articulate their unique purpose in life. He’s also done leadership development and coaching for individuals and organizations.
We asked Dan to share more about his role with Pause!
What are you most excited about in your role with Pause?
I'm excited to connect more people and organizations to Pause and share the amazing stories of life change and hope that come from the work we do.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How did that play out in what you are doing now?
I wanted to be a radio D.J. I love music and always have a random mix of songs running through my head at all times. (We think this is why he is the BEST Thrive Night host there is!)
When you think about who you were intricately designed to be, how will you be a benefit to the families and volunteers we serve?
I am naturally wired to be a connector and I am naturally curious. I love to get to know people and connect new friends to old friends. I can't wait to be an ambassador for Pause and Pause families.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Besides waking up my daughter for school and our dogs wanting to go outside... I love an adventure, going somewhere new or new experience and especially if I get to do it with friends. I love dreaming and creating new ideas and things.
What do you want our Pause families to know about you?
I am excited to get to know them, their stories and share the hope that they have found through Pause with others.
Dan - thank you for a joyful “yes!” to Pause and your passion for connection! We are blessed you’re a part of our team!
Want to connect with Dan to see how you can get more involved with Pause? Reach out and let’s chat! Dan.Mcswain@pauseforparents.org
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
